JMM decides to stick to UPA

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday announced that it will remain part of the United progressive Alliance (UPA) and fight the Lok Sabha election in alliance with its partners.

"The JMM is a part of the UPA and it will remain in the UPA. The JMM, Congress and RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) will fight together in the Lok sabha election," Hemlal Murmu, a JMM Lok Sabha MP, told IANS on phone from New Delhi.

The Congress will fight from six seats, JMM four seats and RJD two seats of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The decision on sharing the other two seats - Hazaribagh and Koderma - will be taken later, said Murmu.

Koderma is represented by Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) president Babulal Marandi and Hazaribagh is represented by Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Bhuneshwar Mehta.

According to JMM sources, Koderma may go to the RJD and Hazaribagh to the JMM.

The decision on the seat sharing formula was taken by UPA partners in New Delhi on Sunday.

As per the agreed formula, the Congress will now field its candidates in Ranchi, Khuti, Lohardagga, Dhanbad, Godda and Chaibsasa Lok Sabha seats. The JMM will field candidates in Rajmahal, Dumka, Giridih and Jamshedpur, while RJD candidates will contest Chatra and Palamau seats.